To Rob and Anne

Ron's work buddy Rob married his sweetheart Anne under the trees in Stern Grove, one of the most magic places in San Francisco. Colorful hearts on strings dangled over their heads in the light breeze as the minister spoke of their love and friendship. Anne's gown was beautiful, Rob's smile was huge. During the speeches there wasn't a dry eye in the house when Anne's father broke into tears as he recalled how much he's loved her since the day his "beautiful daughter came out."
We danced into the wee hours of the night, especially Son, who was the life of the party. He's always loved to dance but been a bit shy in public about it, but not last night. He danced with the groom, the bride, but not the flower girl, much to his lament. Uh, oh, ladies man in the making. Son tried to get her attention but she played hard to get. We told him she's not your type if she doesn't want to play. I think she was just shy or having an off night. Jake was having an "on" night. It's beautiful and strange at the same time watching your son grow up in front of your eyes. I'm so proud of the way he can go into a strange setting and make it a night to remember, grabbing the most of the moment. That's what life is all about.
Another top ten moment, dancing with my son and husband at the Trockadero Clubhouse, celebrating the union of two incredibly nice people.

The Springs in Summer

OMG.
Ron and I had a heavenly weekend. This place was so fabulous I don't even want to give out the name. No two night minimums. No throngs of city peeps trying to be fabulous.
We soaked in the mineral tubs under the stars at night, in the private baths, sans clothes in the day. We soaked in the hot tub, swam in the pool (did my daily half a mile!) hiked to the waterfall. We ate the best organic sushi I've ever had. We stayed up late drinking beer and talking, just talking like we used to, under the stars on the lawn until the sprinklers chased us off. We didn't mind getting wet. I love my husband and I love the Springs in Summer.

May Nature Be With You

Last Friday, son and I did one of our traditional field trips before school starts. I was craving Muir Woods so off we went. Being a Star Wars fan, I told Jake that the Battle of Endor was filmed thereabouts. Man, was he stoked.
To me Muir Woods is a heavenly, ancient grove of tree spirits. The rangers post a quiet zone in the cathedral grove of trees to help ensure that people "get" Muir Woods. We got it all right. From bubbling Redwood Creek with baby salmon and trout to the massive heights of the old beauties, we got it. Even with throngs of summer tourists. We even spotted a grey fox, woodpecker and three baby deer. Most unusual was the alarming amount of people who were there for the Star Wars appeal.
See the pictures above. Enjoy. And may the Nature Be with You.

Click the pictures once to get full view. On the stone fence, that's a bundle of ladybugs keeping warm. Sorry about sideways/blurry pic. Darn blogger is hard to figure out photo arrangements. I was so afraid I'd delete the wrong one. Note to blogger.com: make pictures easier! Help with the captions please!

Squishied

Warning! Random photo placement! Don't waste brain cells trying to connect them. Love, your art mcfarty friend, jayne



As we were watching the A's get SPANKED and Jake and his pal were eating their lemon squishies, we decided that was the new term for getting your ass kicked. Squishied. And now we can't stop saying it.
You have been squishied.

Vichy with my sweetie

Am so looking forward to heading up to the hot springs with my sweetie, thanks to Uncle Paul and Aunty Jeane.
I don't even care if it rains.

Swim Team

Walnut Creek Swim Conference 2008.

Top Photo: Awards Night Indian Valley Swim Team. Coach Garrett was so well spoken and thoughtful when he spoke about Jake while receiving his award..."Jake loves to swim, he was in the pool when we got here for awards night! He loves to swim butterfly and does laps of it at practice, which is hard, we all know that and it showed during the medley at conference. Good job Jake."
Thanks Coach Garrett and all the other awesome coaches who gave positive words, yelled go! at meets and helped the kids to have an awesome summer in the pool and on the deck. Confidence, strength, community, friends, fun is the name of this game.

Next two photos: Drew, Boris, Jake and Sam, a winning combination; both Indian Valley Relay Teams. The Mighty Flying Hawks!

I feel like Debbie Phelps. Just wish we had her sons endorsements.

There Goes the Summer

Seems like just yesterday I was putting "Here Comes the Summer" by the Undertones (one of my fave 80s bands ever) on my myspace (is that redundant?)
Now it's one week and a handful of days until school starts.
It's been such a fab summer.

Today we went to the A's game and even though they got walloped by the White Sucks (13-1) it was the perfect summer day. We had fab seats thanks to the A's baseball camp son did this summer. Close to third base and in the shade. Almost caught a foul ball.

I must say though, the best part about summer is how active I've been.
Been swimming 18 laps (1/2 mile) everyday. In training for a mini-triathlon, the only way I'll ever get in shape again. Must train for a goal. If I can easily swim the half mile in the pool, I'll be able to do it in the freezing cold water of the Bay. I am literally intimate with the cold water of the bay. From my years of windsurfing, I've had cold Bay water up my nose, down my throat and in every other orifice. Eww.
Looking forward to next summer when I complete the mini triathlon. Will mean I'm back in shape. It's definite motivation: A) I don't want to make a fool of myself, B) I want to finish the dang thing and C) I don't want to drown.

This summer I've: played a damn good game of softball with all the guys from husband's work, hiked into the Grand Canyon, walked ALOT, played tennis at Indian Valley, the backboard at Walden and at the WCTC, rode bikes, danced at parties, to the (actual) B-52s in San Francisco, danced in the living room and beat the crap out of the punching bag. We even had a roomarang Olympics, United States vs. Australia in the family room. It feels so good to be active again, it's good for the body, mind and soul. I sleep better, eat better, feel better, look better, have more energy and feel excited about the future of being one fit chick again.

sing a song

There is nothing cuter than listening to a little kid sing along to his ipod when he thinks no one is listening.

Our Very Own Mini Olympics

Swim Team rules. It's the hippy jock sport. I think it might be my Son's sport:
in swimming, you get to swim, which is just about Jake's fav thing to do; you only have to perform for a short time, then you can goof off for a while and finally, it's cool to have f**ked up hair.
At the beginning of the season, Son was afraid to swim in the Time Trials at our home team pool. Yesterday he got in front of hundreds of screaming fans at the Walnut Creek Swim Conference and he and his team got SECOND PLACE in the freestyle relay. More exciting than a pool full of money.
My throat still hurts from screaming gooooooooooo. It's brilliant, watching sports with a vested interest.

Cousin Leanne is here (another reason to celebrate) and got to see Saturday morning's events, individual freestylye. Son did ok, but he has a good strong stroke. Form over finish they say at this age. (Although not at conference but there's always next year.)
I think he's got a bright future. And so far, it's this Mom's favorite sporting event to watch.

Now, off to watch the United States kick the sheet out of ze french and their big mouths. Bring it frogs. This is the freestyle relay, the Elvis of swimming events. Our president sure can't get shit done but our Olympics team is on fire.
Go USA!!! Go Australia!!!

Picture above (Jake and coach Matty, who is poetry in motion in the pool and a great coach) Conference pictures to come.